The Failures of ANC Governance laid bare in Ald Xhakaza’s State of the City Address

by Ald Tania Campbell — DA Caucus Leader in the City of Ekurhuleni

Date: 30 April 2024

Release: Immediate

Note: The following State of the City reply speech was delivered in the Council Chamber at the OR Tambo Government Precinct

Thank you, Madam Speaker,

Honourable Mayor

Fellow Councillors, all officials present here today,

The media and residents across the City of Ekurhuleni

As I look across the benches, I see familiar faces perched in different chairs, a classic tale of musical chairs. But these are the very same MMCs who have forced residents and businesses to endure the consequences of failed leadership under the so-called ‘Peoples Government’

A little Mayco reshuffle, some new official photos and a new EFF-Puppet Mayor at the helm will not fix Service delivery failure, Corruption, and mismanagement across the city. Communities are not buying it, Mr Mayor!

You waffled endlessly about your vision for the city, but this is the same old song we’ve have had to endure in these chambers since the EFF-ANC coalition started and festered in this City — with no action — or shall I say the only action to destroy what left in the City.

The State of the City should be a moment of pride, a time to celebrate our achievements and renew our commitment to progress. However, today, I stand before you with a different message. Today, I must speak truth to power and shed light on the true State of our City.

These are not merely words; they are the harsh realities that our residents face every single day. They are the barriers that stand between us and the future we envision for Ekurhuleni.

As my fellow councillors have said before, we cannot ignore service delivery failures.

Basic services such as water, electricity, sanitation, and housing are fundamental rights that every citizen deserves. Yet, for far too many of our residents, these essentials remain elusive. Broken promises and unfulfilled commitments have left our communities disillusioned and disheartened.

The potholed roads, overflowing sewage, and unreliable utilities are not just inconveniences; they are symbols of a system that has failed its people.

A failed system, which the DA started to repair and rebuild with our simple mantra of ‘Back to Basics’ which worked! And we started to turn around a city that was shamelessly exploited by the ANC for political greed and personal power.

Unfortunately the true Multi Party Coalition, was removed from office by the EFF ANC coalition, before communities could start to truly feel the difference.

Instead, now corruption has become widespread under the EFF and ANC’s watch in Ekurhuleni. The EFF Mayor and his cronies shamelessly exploited their positions of power for personal gain, siphoning off public funds meant for the development and welfare of our communities.

Contracts are awarded not based on merit but on political connections, and kickbacks have become the norm rather than the exception. This culture of corruption erodes public trust and diverts resources away from where they are most needed.

For example:

The now infamous R2 billion security tender which was awarded to ‘questionable’ security firms, saw four members of the bid evaluation committee (BEC) evaluate over 230 bid documents in 21 days.

It must’ve been one hell of a drive for the Security firms in Limpopo to get all their documents in on time, am I right EFF MMC Dunga?

We thought the Public Protector would be interested in hearing about this — so we reported it!

Corruption is a cancer that eats away at the fabric of our society. From backroom deals to inflated contracts, corruption has seeped into every corner of our municipality, enriching a few at the expense of the many. We cannot turn a blind eye to this scourge; we must root it out with unwavering determination and resolve!

Mr Mayor, I heard you mumble generic promises of a clean administration, accountable leadership and all the general gargling without substance.

But, what does have substance, is the Auditor General report — which issued the City of Ekurhuleni an unqualified audit opinion!

A regression under the EFF/ANC-led government.

During the DA tenure, we achieved a clean audit and service delivery visibly improved. But then came the Doomsday Coalition.

This is clear in the following:

ORGANISATIONAL PERFORMANCE AS CONTAINED IN THE ANNUAL REPORT

Which stated:

Of the 24 Departments and Entities that committed to the targets, 13 Departments achieved 100% of their planned targets.

5 Departments and 1 Entity achieved 50% and less of their planned targets.

Out of these, Ekurhuleni Housing Company and Service Delivery Coordination Departments achieved none (0%) of their planned targets.

In a simple cliché: “Residents can’t complain about service delivery… because there isn’t any”

It’s a typical case of no-consequence management! Despite soft targets, these departments cannot even achieve those goals.

Sadly, this is now the norm for residents and businesses of Ekurhuleni. Budgets are misappropriated, projects are delayed or abandoned, and essential services are neglected. Instead of investing in infrastructure and development that would benefit all residents, the Mayor prioritizes pet projects and vanity initiatives that serve only to bolster his own image. This lack of fiscal responsibility and strategic planning is detrimental to the long-term well-being of Ekurhuleni and its residents.

We cannot afford to tolerate such incompetence any longer. The time for accountability is now!

The political instability. Infighting, factionalism, and power struggles have paralyzed our municipality, rendering it incapable of effective governance for too long. Instead of working together for the common good, our leaders are consumed by petty rivalries and personal ambitions. This toxic environment only serves to further undermine the trust of our citizens and perpetuate the cycle of poor service delivery.

One needs to ask the question, who runs this municipality, Lesufi or Shivambu as we have seen with collapsed Councils one after the other these individuals dictating how Ekurhuleni must run, a sad state indeed.

But I am here to instil hope in the resilience of our people, who refuse to let corruption collapse our beautiful city.

It is up to us to fight for the residents of Ekurhuleni, to demand better. To hold our leaders accountable for their actions, or lack thereof. To fight tirelessly for the principles of transparency, integrity, and good governance. The principles which the DA embody!

As the Democratic Alliance, we cannot and will not tolerate such incompetence and malfeasance in leadership. We are committed to holding you and your administration accountable for your failures and shortcomings.

Mr Mayor, let us remember that the State of the City is not determined by the words spoken in this chamber, but by the actions taken outside of it.

We need a city that works for the people, not for the pockets of the EFF and ANC.

Ald. Tania Campbell

DA Caucus Leader, Ekurhuleni